What is an HBCU?
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were established starting in the 1800s, in order to provide higher education opportunities for otherwise oppressed African-Americans. Demand for such higher education was created largely by African-American churches of that time, who took it upon themselves to provide elementary and secondary educations for southern Blacks.
Through the initiative of these and other such organizations, such as the American Missionary Association, as well as government legistlation, African-Americans finally got a chance at higher education. And boy, did they ever thrive. HBCUs have prevailed into the 21st century, as a nurturing ground for future African-American leaders. They are by no means exclusive to African-Americans, but continue to stand as a bastion of cultural excellence.